Changing rooms on a WIRES-X repeater Was: Digital Repeater protocol

[GJHS]

Hi Everyone

I am wondering what the protocol for changing rooms on a fusion repeater.

I connect to the WB2WAK repeater, hit the wires-x button and am connected into the WB2WAK-room which usually has 2 people.

I have tried to contact the other users in the WB2WAK-room first, no response.

Sometimes without connecting through the wires-x button, traffic is coming from the repeater, most times it is quiet.

Is it ok to connect to the repeater and change the room if no traffic is coming through? If there is traffic do I need to connect through wires-x or can I just transmit to join in? I am a bit confused between wires x and fusion. Which would be a better way to connect to digital, a hitspot or the cable to connect to the computer for Yaesu?

Thanks

 

[ko6jw_2]

First of all Wires-X refers to software that is used to connect Fusion rooms. Fusion is generally referring to the C4FM digital modulation method used by Yeasu radios. You don't say what kind of Yeasu radio you are using and there are differences in how they connect.

In general a Fusion repeater needs to be connected to a node station. The node station is connected to the internet and makes it possible to connect to rooms. For example, our Fusion repeater is on a mountain top. I have an FTM-400 and an HRI-200 which connect to a computer running Wires-X. Anyone can connect through the repeater by pressing the "X" button on their radio and entering the room number to which they wish to connect.

The protocol will depend on the operator of the node station. Mine is open (with a couple of limitations). It has a time out timer to prevent users from leaving it connected. Asking if it is OK to connect would be polite. Also, people out in Wires-X land cannot hear analog users on the local repeater. Thus, we never allow connections during nets or special events or emergencies.

i would suggest that you check out HamOperator – Hams with soldering irons operating radios for detailed info.

Using a hotspot is an alternative. I use one sometimes. You can connect without tying up the local repeater. You only need internet (wi-fi). Local repeater users will not hear you since this method is internet based. However, you could connect to your local room and then you would be heard through the repeater.

If you local repeater is already connected, you can join in (use digital mode of course). Ask before disconnecting and changing rooms. Some systems are permanently linked and making changes is not good without permission.

Some Yaesu radios like the FT2 and FT3 allow you to use Wires-X via a cable and a computer running Wires-X. This mode is excellent for traveling. The radio functions as an analog to digital and digital to analog converter. No RF is transmitted. It is nice because you can access Fusion rooms even if there is no repeater nearby. Wires-X software needs to be registered (free).

 

[vagrant]

If you hear traffic coming from the repeater via RF, you can simply give your callsign and talk to others, whether "it" is linked somewhere or not does not matter. Chit-chat like normal.

Also, one may not know if a repeater is currently linked, so it is always best to ask if it is okay to connect the repeater elsewhere even if you do not hear anyone. The owner may have steered it to a room/node and is just listening. Some owners specifically say to key up and ask before changing, which is simple courtesy as was previously pointed out. Others state to never steer it elsewhere. Also, once you are done you should unlink it as well. If we all do this we can share and have fun.

Keep this in mind, it is very easy for a Yaesu repeater owner to permanently block a particular radio as they each have a unique ID. With that in mind I do not tie up a repeater if I am able to connect a handheld, or mobile, up to a computer using the cable and directly connect to the node/room I want to use. This leaves a repeater free for local chat, or if someone needs to steer it elsewhere for a while.

Outside of the Wires-X network, one would use a hotspot. Some Wires-X nodes/rooms are on whichever network/reflector, but not all Wires-X nodes and rooms are on networks/reflectors outside of the Wires-X network.

 

[GJHS]

I have written the club that owns the repeater to ask persmission.

I would like to have my own connection, not worrying about keeping the repeater from someone who would like to use it.

Some Yaesu radios like the FT2 and FT3 allow you to use Wires-X via a cable and a computer running Wires-X. This mode is excellent for travel The radio functions as an analog to digital and digital to analog converter. No RF is transmitted. It is nice because you can access Fusion rooms even if there is no repeater nearby. Wires-X software needs to be registered (free).

I have an FT3DR and am trying to get the best way to connect. I talked with someone via digital who reccomended the scu-39 connected to my radio. He said the sound is much improved and there is no RF. Looking online I see with the pdn I would be truly connecting to Wires X vs refectors of rooms, so I would have a better selection.

Have you used the pdn feature or would a hotspot be the better option? Both cost about the same since I would need a speaker mic to make it easier to talk while the radio is connected to the computer.

 

[WA0CBW]

The PDN mode can be either RF (using another radio) or direct (using the mic and speaker of the node radio). These are in essence is a "hot spot".

 

[GJHS]

Thank you. Can someone share their experience using the pdn vs a hotspot?

My understanding of Advantages are

Connecting to Wires-X vs Reflectors, so more rooms

Better Audio

Option to connect without RF or as a node for other radios

Disadvantages

Not as quick to connect nor as portable

 

[WA0CBW]

A "hot spot" cannot connect directly to Yaesu rooms. Access to Yaesu WiresX requires a Yaesu registered device (HRI200, FT400, FT300, FT100, FT2 AND FT3).

 

[ko6jw_2]

A "hot spot" cannot connect directly to Yaesu rooms. Access to Yaesu WiresX requires a Yaesu registered device (HRI200, FT400, FT300, FT100, FT2 AND FT3).

This is incorrect. I use my hot spot to connect to the MNWIS room frequently. The hotspot must be programed for the desired room. The room must have a "bridge" to allow this type of connection. The bridge is transparent to hotspot users.

 

[WA0CBW]

You are correct.....but you have to have a "bridge" and not all Yaesu rooms may have a bridge. Not all rooms allow connections to a bridge. To connect "directly" requires one of the devices I listed.